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The proximity to areas of intensive pesticide application is a risk factor that favors xenobiotic exposure. Pesticides may interfere with hormonal function and cause alterations in the reproductive system, pregnancy complications, and adverse fetal development. We evaluated potential endocrine disruption and the evolution of the third trimester of pregnancy in women residing in a rural area of Argentina with intense pesticide applications, and the characteristics of their newborns. Blood samples were collected from healthy women in the third trimester of pregnancy during the pesticide spraying (SP) (n = 26) and nonspraying (NSP) (n = 27) periods. Plasma cholinesterase activity and cortisol and DHEA-S levels were lower in SP than in NSP. The percentage of preterm premature rupture of membranes was higher in SP than in NSP. Macrosomia at birth was17% in both periods. This study reinforces the importance of preventing potential cases of cumulative toxicity during the perinatal period through monitoring and epidemiological studies., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The impact of environmental organophosphate pesticide exposure on the placenta oxidative status was assessed. Placental samples were collected from women residing in an agricultural area during pesticide pulverization period, non-pulverization period and from control group. Carboxylesterase activity was significantly decreased in pulverization period group. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense system, the oxidative stress biomarkers and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor levels showed no differences among groups. However, in the pulverization period group, an inverse association between catalase activity and placental index, a useful metric for estimating placental inefficiency, was found. This result suggests that catalase may serve as a potential placental biomarker of susceptibility to pesticides. Further studies designed from a gene-environment perspective are needed., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)